Cultural diversity in sports is a dynamic and multifaceted field that has garnered significant attention in recent years. Sports have the unique ability to unite individuals from various cultural backgrounds, yet they also have the potential to underscore and magnify cultural disparities. Despite the global nature of sports, there remains a notable disparity in the representation and inclusion of diverse cultures within many sports teams, leadership roles, and organizations. This imbalance can hinder the full potential of athletes from diverse backgrounds and limit the growth of sports. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of cultural factors in shaping sports participation and performance, as well as the experiences of athletes and coaches from diverse cultural backgrounds. Initiatives like the “Kick it Out” campaign in English football have made strides in raising awareness about racism and promoting diversity. However, there is still a pressing need for more comprehensive research to understand the nuances of cultural diversity in sports and to measure the progress of these initiatives.
This research topic aims to investigate the barriers to cultural diversity in sports, the benefits of culturally diverse sporting environments, and to identify actionable steps for organizations, teams, and governing bodies to promote and achieve cultural diversity. Key questions include: How do cultural factors influence sports participation and performance? What are the experiences of athletes and coaches from diverse cultural backgrounds? How can sports organizations and policymakers foster greater inclusion and representation? What role do media representations play in shaping cultural perceptions of sports? By addressing these questions, the research seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between culture and sports.
To gather further insights into the boundaries of cultural diversity in sports, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Personal stories of athletes or coaches from different backgrounds, focusing on challenges faced, achievements, and their unique experiences.
• Exploring how social norms of different cultures influence sports participation.
• Analyzing the portrayal of culturally diverse athletes or coaches in media, including biases, stereotypes, and positive showcases.
• Sports as a platform for cultural integration and assimilation in multicultural societies.
This research topic encourages contributions from a range of disciplines, including sport and exercise psychology, cultural studies, sociology, and sport management, and invites diverse methodological approaches to enrich the discourse on cultural diversity in sports.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
- Brief Research Report
- Case Report
- Clinical Trial
- Community Case Study
- Conceptual Analysis
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
- Data Report
- Editorial
- General Commentary
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Keywords: Exercise, sport psychology, cultural psychology, migration, adaptation, situated, cultural intelligence, policy, safeguarding.
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.